Charles Dickens, Algernon Charles Swinburne — 1st Edition

£60.00

Charles Dickens, Algernon Charles Swinburne — 1st Edition

Name: Charles Dickens, Algernon Charles Swinburne — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5634
Price: 60.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Chatto & Windus, 1913

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xx, 84.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains tight and structurally sound, with the original dark blue publisher's cloth showing only minor shelf-wear, faint surface marking to the boards, and light bumping to the extremities. Crucially, the gilt fillet border to the front board and the gilt lettering to the spine remain impressively bright and unoxidised. The top edge gilt retains much of its original lustre, while the rough-cut fore and bottom edges exhibit age-typical toning. Internally, the hinges are solid. There is notable offsetting to the endpapers alongside a neat previous ownership signature dated 1938 to the front free endpaper. The text block shows scattered light foxing, primarily restricted to the preliminary leaves, and features a contemporary ink annotation to the title page identifying the editor, but otherwise, the pages remain clean, bright, and highly legible throughout.

Catalogue Note: This is a First Edition of Algernon Charles Swinburne's posthumously published essay on Charles Dickens, brought to press by his friend and literary executor Theodore Watts-Dunton. A neat, contemporary ink annotation on the title page of this copy helpfully identifies Watts-Dunton as the unnamed editor.

Unillustrated, the volume is bound in the publisher's original blue cloth. While the previous ownership signature from 1938 offers a standard, yet charming, touch of provenance, the true appeal of this copy lies in the preservation of its exterior.

Finding copies of this edition with such bright, unrubbed gilt detailing is increasingly uncommon on the open market, making it an attractive acquisition for collectors of either Swinburne or Dickens.

A fascinating intersection of two Victorian literary giants, Charles Dickens is Algernon Charles Swinburne’s passionate, critical appraisal of the legendary novelist. Published posthumously, Swinburne's essay delves into Dickens’s genius for characterisation, his profound empathy, and his indelible impact on the English literary landscape. Written with Swinburne’s characteristic fervour and poetic sensibility, this volume offers as much insight into the mind of the critic as it does the master storyteller he celebrates.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Algernon Charles Swinburne

Book Publisher: Chatto & Windus

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 84

Book Publication Year: 1913

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.